Maybelline Color Show Nail Stickers

The subtitle of this post should be:

Or Why Maybelline Should Stick to Cosmetics

For anyone who may not know, I have a love-hate relationship with nail stickers. I love how easy they are to apply, and who doesn't love zero dry time?! However, nail stickers are not without their downsides either. I tend to have issues with the corners peeling up (my number one complaint) and the price is quite a bit higher than a bottle of nail polish also. But since I love to try out new products, I decided to give these Maybelline ones a try. I have also tried Sally Hansen Gel Strips and Kiss Nail Dress Stickers.

I wanted to give these Maybelline stickers a whirl, mainly because I wanted to know if they were any better than the Maybelline Color Show nail polish, which I HATE, to put it mildly. This polish is so watery, I had to apply practically 7 coats to get good coverage. Seriously, steer clear people. Not worth your money.

The Maybellibe stickers apply just like the Sally Hansen and the Kiss ones. One thing I did notice is the Maybelline pack does not contain as many size option and the Sally Hansen and Kiss brands. This is an issue for me because I have small nails. So for a few I actually had to trim them with scissors before they were applied.

I also noticed that like the Sally Hansen strips, the Maybelline ones smell like nail polish, whereas the Kiss ones did not. (Sally Hansen touts their strips as being "real nail polish")

I am happy with the outcome so far, and I do like the design, which is part of the reason I decided to buy them in the first place. We will see how they last, the package says up to 10 days. We'll see about that! As far as how they stack up? The Sally Hansen gel strips require the extra step of the gel topcoat and LED curing, but the shine is to die for! And they lasted a nice long time. The Kiss ones come in fun designs and lasted forever also! In the future I would choose the Sally Hansen or the Kiss designs before I bought the Maybelline again. But you live and learn! And they'll be fun while they last.

Gettin' Serious About Skincare

One thing I have decided to start taking more seriously is my skin care routine. We've only got one face, amiright? So after reading an InStyle's 2013 Best Beauty Buys, I picked up a few things. And I decided to share my new routine with you all.

Mornings are a mad dash for me, and I only stop for coffee, so my AM routine had to be super simple. I do a quick swipe with these (1) Simple Cleansing Wipes, followed up with a (2) Vitamin C Serum and finally my (3) Boscia Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF. 

The Boscia moisturizer is pricey, at $36 a pop, but it's the best oil free product I've found. My skin is technically combination, but leans more towards the oily side, and because I'm super fair, I love that it has SPF 15 for every day. If I'm going to be outside, I follow up with at least an SPF 50. The Vitamin C serum is full of antioxidants, and helps to counteract all the sun damage that I've accumulated so far. 

At night time, I have a little more time to take care of business. I have used these (1) Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Pads since I was a teenager. Make sure to get the oil free ones! Another tried & true pick, the (2) Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. This stuff has been around forever, and was one of InStyle's picks for oily skin for 5 years in a row! The pink grapefruit scent smells so much better that their original, which always reminds me of old school dial soap. It's missing from the picture, but once or twice a week I exfoliate with Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub. 

Another InStyle pick is this (3) La Roche Posay Effaclar Toner. This helps remove any leftover oil and tightens pores. A must-have for oily skin like mine. The (4) Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Creme I use just on my neck and chest. It is too heavy for my face, but the neck and chest are a big age giveaway and often overlooked. Finally, I use the (5) Olay Regenerist Micro-sculpting Eye Cream & Lash Serum Duo, the cream on my under-eye and brow bone, and then the serum on my lashes of course.

I do wish I had a night-time moisturizer for my face, but I just haven't found one that is light enough for my oily skin. If anyone has one they love I would love to hear from you! I've thought about trying this one from Boscia, since I love their oil-free lotion for day. 

If I end up getting it I will let you know!